Half-Day Small Group Cooking Experience in Franschhoek
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Nestled in the picturesque town of Franschhoek, known as the "food and wine capital of South Africa," you find yourself in a charming kitchen surrounded by rolling vineyards and stunning mountain views. The ambiance exudes tranquility, with the scent of blooming flowers in the air and the gentle sounds of nature as your backdrop.
Your evening begins with a warm welcome from local chef Nicola SPILSBURY, who is passionate about showcasing the best of South African cuisine.
She will introduce you to the rich culinary history of the region and the significance of Franschhoek in South Africa's food culture. This relaxed cooking experience offers more than just cooking skills; it immerses you in the soul of South African cuisine, showcases the region's produce, and allows you to connect with like-minded food lovers. It's a perfect blend of gastronomy, wine and the warm hospitality that Franschhoek is renowned for, leaving you with cherished memories of a unique culinary adventure.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Embark on a gastronomic experience in the enchanting winelands, guided by the expertise of seasoned chef Nicola Spilsbury . Discover the joy of cooking and dining as she unveils the secrets behind delectable dishes. Savor the fruits of your labor paired with exquisite local wines, all in the heart of wine country. Elevate your winelands experience with the mastery of cooking something new whilst making new friends. Small groups allow for an intimate hands-on experience you’ll never forget. THE FRANSCHHOEK FEAST : Immerse yourself in the rich flavors of Traditional South African cuisine with our signature experience . We also offer COOKING PARTIES and the following cooking themes: SPANISH FIESTA GREEK MAMMA MIA MEXICAN MADNESS TASTE OF TUSCANY. Contact us should you want any further details on menus
Sample Menu
starter
Cape Malay Mussels
Steamed in a Cape Malay curry & coconut cream broth served with “braaied” ciabatta bread
main
Harvest Table Style Main Course
Local Trout, with herbs, lemon & wild garlic Jungle slaw , rooibos dressing Roast curried potatoes Wagu steak, leek butter & crunchy butternut.
dessert
Milktart & Ice cream
Traditional South African melktert Home made naartjie ice cream
dessert
Home made Marshmallows
Home made marshmallows dipped in toasted coconut, citrus & local florals
What‘s Included
Use of all kitchen equipment and tools provided.
Dinner
Options
5pm
5pm
Reviews
103 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
An unforgettable experience in Franschhoek.
mnaugle33,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Abbie and I had the absolute pleasure of taking a cooking class with Nicola, and it was one of the highlights of our trip. From start to finish, the experience felt warm, local, and incredibly professional. Nicola is full of life, stories, and talent. She creates an atmosphere that is welcoming and relaxed while still being thoughtfully structured and well executed. We learned how to prepare traditional South African dishes, enjoyed excellent local wine, and connected with a small group of people from all over the world. The intimate class size made it easy to ask questions, have meaningful conversations, and truly engage in the cooking process. This was not just a cooking class, but a cultural experience. It felt authentic, personal, and thoughtfully curated. If you are looking for something beyond a standard tourist activity and want a genuine, memorable experience rooted in local food and hospitality, this is it. Highly recommend. We would do it again without hesitation.
A fantastic cookery school in the heart of Franschoek
Franklyfantastic,,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A fantastic experience with a great group of people from Holland UK and Australia The host was fantastic and the food was amazing Very good value for money
A highlight of my South African experience.
jillsI1629HW,,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This cooking class was fabulous — a wonderful introduction to South African cuisine and its flavours. Nicola is a fantastic host who immediately puts everyone at ease, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The meal and accompanying wines were absolutely delicious. I cannot recommend this experience highly enough.
Fantastic evening with Chef Nicola! Don‘t miss this experience when in Franschhoek🫶👍
302jodis,,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent enjoyable relaxing evening with Chef Nicola walking us through an array of fantastic S. African dishes.. we cooked as a team! Loved every minute ❤️
Awesome cooking class
hendalis2025,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thank you Nicola for your relaxed and awesome presentation and teaching us many ways to cook dishes with super flavour. You and Rosie are a formidable team!!
A fun, relaxed evening with new friends and no cooking frustration
Roland B,,Dec 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It had been a great experience to cook together with Nicola and Rosie. The atmosphere was relaxed, boisterous and you got useful and simple tips that really make you want to recook the recipes. The kitchen is also at the same time a small shop where you can find various small souvenirs, either for yourself or friends and family. You can feel the love in every detail of the business, the kitchen and the same goes for the hospitality and the passion of our hosts. Thank you for this great experience. If you're in Franschhoek, be sure to book a class at Spillsbury Kitchen. Absolute recommendation - also for chef's muffle, like me.
Great event
Emma26Oxfordshire UK,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great event making Christmas treats - Nicola was very accommodating as my Mother has limited mobility so she arranged a special chair for her. It was a fun, festive occasion. Highly recommended plus a delicious lunch.
Delightful evening experienced in true Franschhoek style!
Lauren C,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a wonderful evening we had! The setting was magical, the company was lively and intimate. We are locals and our family of four sharing with foreign tourists enhanced the experience as they were delightful people. Nicola balanced her easygoing social manner with accomplished chef skills and somehow made us feel as though we had produced this magnificent feast! Perhaps together we did… It was a night to remember and definitely one to repeat!
Phenomenal Experience
simonmR510CO,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had a fabulous time at the cooking class, a really unique and fulfilling experience. Chef Nicola put us all at ease with her friendly and easy manner straight away and set us to work on our started dish. This set us on our way with a delicious sample of flavoursome,sophisticated food. Nicola guided us through the preparation of a number of sensationally tasty dishes, with her straight forward explanation we were able to create a feast of amazing food including sensational naan breads, colourful and zingy rainbow salad topped off with a delicious milk tart. Thank you Nicola for making us so welcome, and your patience and guidance was very much appreciated. I would recommend to anybody visiting the area to go along and enjoy a great few hours under the guidance of a really talented chef.
Fantastic culinary experience
Jonathan S,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great class! The Chef Nicola was clear, patient, and fun, making each step easy to follow. The hands-on practice and fresh ingredients made the whole experience enjoyable, and the dishes turned out delicious. I left feeling confident and excited to try the recipes at home. Highly recommend!
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Operated by Spilsbury's Kitchen